Manh Vu Tran

Bio: Manh Vu Tran is an academic researcher from Monash University Malaysia Campus. The author has contributed to research in topics: Combustion & Diesel fuel. The author has an hindex of 8, co-authored 31 publications receiving 224 citations. Previous affiliations of Manh Vu Tran include King Abdullah University of Science and Technology.

Advancements in fiber-reinforced polymer composite materials damage detection methods: Towards achieving energy-efficient SHM systems

Abstract: The application of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites is continuously increasing due to their superior mechanical properties and the associated weight advantage. However, they are susceptible to more complex types of damage, and advanced damage characterization systems are required to prevent catastrophic failures. Various non-destructive testing and evaluation (NDT&E) and in-situ structural health monitoring (SHM) techniques have been applied for damage detection in FRP composites. These techniques have been continuously developed to achieve reliable inspections, especially for safety-critical applications such as the aerospace industry. This review presents recent advances in NDT&E techniques and SHM techniques, particularly for damage diagnosis in FRP composites. For selecting the most suitable NDT technique based on specific criteria, the analytical hierarchy process is applied as a decision-making tool to evaluate and rank the NDT techniques. The size of the specimen is found to be the most important criterion that significantly affects technique selection. Finally, the importance of developing in-situ SHM systems is outlined, and different in-situ SHM systems are then reviewed and discussed. This review provides progress of the recent damage characterization techniques and enables researchers to devise selection criteria to select the most appropriate technique for their own work.

Combustion and emission performances of coconut, palm and soybean methyl esters under reacting spray flame conditions

Abstract: The spray combustion characteristics of coconut (CME), palm (PME) and soybean (SME) biodiesels/methyl esters were compared with diesel by using an axial swirl flame burner. Atomisation of the liquid fuels was achieved via an airblast-type nozzle with varied atomising air-to-liquid ratios (ALR) of 2–2.5. The fully developed sprays were mixed with strongly swirled air to form combustible mixtures prior to igniting at the burner outlet. Under fuel-lean condition, biodiesel spray flames exhibited bluish flame core without the yellowish sooty flame brush, indicating low sooting tendency as compared to baseline diesel. Increasing the atomising air led to the reduction of flame length but increase in flame intensity. Measurements of post-combustion emissions show that SME produced higher NO as compared to CME and PME due to higher degree of unsaturation, while the most saturated CME showed the lowest NO and CO emissions amongst the biodiesels tested across all equivalence ratios. By preheating the main swirl air to 250 °C, higher emissions of NO, CO and CO2 were observed for biodiesels. Higher ALR led to reduced NO and CO emissions regardless of the fuel used, making it a viable strategy to resolve the simultaneous NO CO reduction conundrum. This work shows that despite different emission characteristics exhibited by biodiesels produced from different feedstock, they are in principle potential supplemental fuels for practical combustion systems. The pollutants emitted can be mitigated by operating at higher ALR in a twin-fluid based swirl combustor.

NOX emissions of compression ignition engines fueled with various biodiesel blends: A review

Abstract: There are some challenges about NOX emissions exhausted from diesel engines fueled with biodiesel. Due to increasingly stringent emission regulations, the different methods such as varying the engine operating parameters, treatment with antioxidant additive and blending fuels have been adapted to reduce emissions of biodiesel combustion. One of the effective methods is the combustion of dual or blending fuels. Various fuels such as gasoline, hydrogen, natural gas, biogas, different types of alcohols and also fuel additives have been used to reduce biodiesel disadvantages. This study reviews the potential of the different fuels as an additive in biodiesel fuel in correspond to reduce NOX emissions. The general reduction of NOX has been observed with the presence of gasoline, biogas and alcohols in biodiesel blends. The reduction of NOX in biodiesel-hydrogen, biodiesel-diesel or biodiesel–CNG combustion has not been observed through all engine conditions. Moreover the retarding injection timing, the lower injection pressure, EGR higher than 30% can result in the reduced NOX emissions. However it seems the decrease in NOX emissions can be achieved by the use of most fuels in blending with biodiesel under all engine operating conditions, if only the proper injection parameters and blending proportions of fuels are set.

A Review on Alternative Fuels in Future Energy System

Abstract: Transition and decarbonization of the energy sector require the utilisation of new technologies and energy sources. Higher penetration of intermittent renewable energy sources implies the installation of energy storage, to store electricity excess and enhanced system efficiency. These electricity surpluses that will occur more often in the future energy system could be effectively utilized for the production of alternative fuels. Most of the alternative fuels that are considered for future applications are already known chemicals or products, nowadays used for other purposes. Another great advantage of some alternative fuels lies in their possibilities to act as an energy carrier. This feature might be crucial while discussing their utilisation potential and further development. Fuels which can simultaneously be used for power generation and as an energy carrier will have a more important role in the future and are likely to be utilized on a greater scale. Renewable energy source like biomass, on the other hand, is already widely used, and their role in the future system is not questionable. Even though significant increment in biomass consumption raises serious concerns about its sustainability, and seeks for new approaches. In this work, the authors tried to review alternative fuel characteristics, alongside their utilisation and production opportunities. To come up with the optimal solutions, the authors compared various proposed alternative fuels, alongside their advantages and drawbacks with an aim to find the most appropriate role for each fuel.